DEATH, DYING & BEREAVEMENT We are a death dying society - Why? sense that we can control death decreased exposure to death control over the forces of nature sense of self Psychologists put death in a lifespan perspective … idealized image of how we cope

Developmental View of Death Anxiety children - don’t comprehend finality, universality adolescents - sense of immortality adulthood - long way away, but anxiety  es middle-age - physical changes, unfulfilled dreams, death of parents late adulthood - think about it more, less fearful must consider cohort effects: old today - wars, poor health care young today - distanced, media

Concerns Regarding Death high school students: losing loved one, finality, punishment middle-age: premature death, pain older adults: process of dying, helpless, undignified Attitudes Toward Death typical neurotic creative

Kübler-Ross’ Stage Theory of Dying (1) Denial - ‘Not me!’ (2) Anger - ‘Why me?’ ‘Why now?’ (3) Bargaining - ‘I’ll be good!’ (4) Depression - death is unavoidable (5) Acceptance - peace, acceptance of fate awakened interest in psychology of dying but... many criticisms

Pattison’s Phase Theory of Dying different trajectories, depending on whether death is certain or uncertain Birth Death Crisis knowledge of death Max. anxiety Acute crisis phase Chronic living-dying phase Integrated dying Terminal Phase

‘Good Death’ Choosing when we die: Euthanasia active - intentional act to hasten death passive - failure to act, withdrawal e.g., living will, durable power of attorney Choosing where we die: Hospices/Palliative Care blend institutional care and home care humanizes end-of-life experience for dying as well as survivors active and compassionate care for patient and family

Bereavement grief - feelings associated with loss mourning - grief behaviours, leave-taking rituals Phases of grief and bereavement: numbness yearning disorganisation reorganisation/recovery

Death of a Spouse most common loss in the elderly societal pressure to mourn for a period of time women widowed more often for men and women, loss of person who had many roles men and women deal w/ widowhood differently survivor often loses role of caregiver for ill spouse